The horti-canis (garden dog)

I've been asked about the 'horti-canis' in my life - here is the little mischievous garden dog in our little life. Peedie as some of you may be aware is a cairn terrier, a very muddy looking version, if you like, of those white, very clean looking 'westies' or west highland terriers. However, cairns are a very ancient scottish highalnd breed used to chase haggis, um I mean rodents, or maybe both, one of the first ever working dogs. I think if you crossed a terrier with a haggis or a tortioseshell cat, you'd get our dog.

Peedie enjoys drinking out of anything, the more disgusting the better. He enjoys gardening very much, is excellent at removing willow cuttings or shrubs minutes after you've planted them, watering several plants a day, but his favourite pursuit being digging in raised beds, just for fun and sitting in them after he's dug them up. Peedie it would seem has not read manuals on gardening that bestow the delights of raised beds as a way of managing pets and children in a vegetable garden. He's of the opinion that you have made him a mound of earth on which to perch, watch the world go by and spy on birds who may wish to rob the homestead at any opportunity. Pesky garden dog!

This dog, is fair to be said, very fond of the odd adventure down the beach and eats abundantly, often feasting on scarves, hats, gloves and sand, even more often, things we just don't want to talk about in polite company. He's Peedie and he's disgusting, but quite cute!

Looks innocent enough doesn't he? Don't be fooled, every footstep, every move is thoughtfully planned out by this super intelligent pedigree (he's even got papers and everything, and a posh name) canine.

His favourite flowers are daisies, he's very fond of sleeping late, trying to give you his bone when you're *just* about to fall asleep, chasing birds, eating chicken food, warning rats of any danger they may face from humans (he has not read the blurb on how he's an effective ratter by nature, with 'superior ratting instincts', um no, he's not what you'd call very sleathy at all. He's very fond of food, doesn't care about his 'squareness' of body shape, he is fond of eating picnics straight from the basket, sandwiches straight from your bag and won't thank you for sharing! That being said, he's great company whether in the garden, on the beach or even when he's dug himself into the chicken run again or followed the chickens, just to inspect their food!

That's our little 'horti-canis' - who's the pesky non-human companion in your life?

Peedie and Fay, doon the beach at home.